Coconut Oil For Prostate Health (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is extremely common in men as they age. BPH can start after the age of 40 and becomes more common as men get older. It affects nearly all men, though some men do not have any symptoms even though their prostate may have started to grow larger. More than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90 percent of men in their seventies and beyond exhibit some symptoms of BPH.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small, but important gland (organ) in the male reproductive system. Its main role is to make fluid that protects and feeds sperm. The prostate makes about one third of the fluid that is ejaculated (released) from the penis at the time of orgasm.

Where is the prostate?

The prostate is about the size of a walnut and is shaped like a doughnut. The prostate sits underneath the bladder, and surrounds the top part of the urinary tract. Urine passes through the urinary tract on its way from the bladder to the penis.

Why does the prostate become enlarged?

As men age, the male hormone testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and accumulates in the prostate gland. This encourages the growth of cells in the prostate which in turn makes the prostate grow in size. So as men grow older, the prostate grows. At puberty, testosterone levels in boys start to increase and the prostate grows to about eight times its size. It continues to grow, doubling in size between 21 and 50 years, and almost doubles again in size between 50 and 80 years. The reasons for this ongoing growth are not fully understood.

Prostate enlargement is not JUST a side-effect of aging. Lifestyle and diet can potentially play an important role. Dr. Bruce Fife specifically mentions in his book “The Coconut Oil Miracle,” (affiliate link) that prostate enlargement is really only a major problem in westernized countries. He believes this is due to the consumption of processed foods and a more sedentary lifestyle. Men who live in less westernized areas do not appear to be troubles by prostate enlargement as much.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (increase in the number of cells) or hypertrophy (increase in cell size) is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. BPH is the most common prostate disease in men. As the prostate is positioned around the urinary tract, the enlargement of the prostate makes the urinary tract narrow and puts pressure on the base of the bladder. Narrowing of the urinary tract can affect the passing of urine in a number of ways.

What are the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or an Enlarged Prostate?

Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribble

Passing urine often, especially at night

Feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied

A strong or sudden urge to pass urine

Weak or slow urine stream

Stopping and starting again several times while passing urine

Pushing or straining to begin passing urine

At its worst, BPH can lead to

A weak bladder

Backflow of urine causing bladder or kidney infections

Complete block in the flow of urine

Kidney failure

What About Coconut Oil For Prostate Health?

In order to understand how coconut oil might actually assistant with prostate enlargement, we much first look at Saw palmetto, the berries of a subtropical plant that are a proven herbal remedy for treating an enlarged prostate.

In order to slow or stop Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, you need to block the conversion of testosterone into DHT. There are several drugs on the market that do this but not everyone wants to go onto pharmaceuticals that many cause additional issues with health and wellness. Saw palmetto berries were found to block the toxic effect of DHT formation.

Saw palmetto’s medicinal effects are derived primarily from the fatty acids in the berries. Many of these fatty acids are medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), something that coconut oil is loaded with. It was stand to reason that if the MCFAs in saw palmetto effectively treated prostate enlargement, that the MCFAs in coconut oil would to.

I am patiently waiting for some studies to be conducted or released that prove that coconut oil’s MCFAs have the same effect. Saw palmetto has been embraced by both the mainstream and holistic medical community. What a huge step it would be if coconut oil was as well!

Be sure to check out other posts on Coconut Oil over on my Coconut Health page! There are quite a few related to men’s health issues. You especially don’t want to miss out on the many uses of coconut oil.

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About The Author

Jennifer, author of Hybrid Rasta Mama, is a former government recruiter turned stay-at-home mama to a daughter brought earthside in early 2009. She is passionate about and writes about the benefits of CBD oil, coconut oil, toxic mold awareness, holistic health, and natural living. She frequently shares allergy friendly recipes on her site as well as DIY herbal remedies, and natural cleaning recipes.

Jennifer graduated with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Ethnic Studies. In January 2019 she became a certified mold and moisture intrusion inspector. She has completed coursework in the naturopathic series offered by the Avicenna Institute and accredited through the Board of Natural Medicine Certification Council. In addition, Jennifer is a certified CBD educator.

Jennifer is a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors as well as the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness.

Hi Jennifer
‘sounds like your evidence for the benefits of coconut oil in preventing and treating prostate hyperplasia and cancer is that you sell coconut oil and you’d like it to be true.
Fair enough 🙂

I have been taking coconut oil for almost 3 months because I read of it’s health benefits.
I never thought it might help the prostate.
However I took note the last week or so that I no longer have to wait and wait to urinate.
So when I took the coconut oil this morning I got to wondering if it has been the reason I now can go freely. That’s why I searched and found your information.

“Well, it surprised me that coconut oil can help in maintaining prostate health and managing the symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate. It will help all those men who experience the BPH condition.
Thanks for the interesting post!”

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